Combination seat, table and benches



Aug. 7, 1956 Filed Jan. l2, 1954 M. D. JERDEE COMBINATION SEAT, TABLE AND BENCHES 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. D. JERDEE COMBINATION SEAT, TABLE AND BENCHES' Aug.'7, 1956 5Filed Jan. 12, 1954 United States Patent COMBINATION SEAT, TABLE AND BENCHES Mellvn D. Jerdee, Albuquerque, N. Mex.

Application January/'12, 1954, 'Serial No. 403,567

Claims. (Cl. 155-43) This invention relates to an article of furniture, and more specifically to apparatus which interchangeably forms different articles of furniture.

The subject of this invention relates to an improvement of my original invention as shown and claimed .in United States Letters Patent No. 2,618,314.

Although the lstructure of my previously patented invention operates satisfactorily, improvements thereon can be made to simplify and decrease the cost of construction and manufacture and add to the ease and convenience of its use. For example, it was necessary in the lstructure constituting my original invention, to have a h-inged twopiece panel in order to get the desired swinging movement of the panel. But actually, it is simpler and cheaper to make the panel in one piece than in two. The one piece ,panel is also desirable because it is substantially easier to keep clean when used a-s a table top, there being no crevices or recesses to collect contaminating material.

In order to have the yone-piece panel, the seat members must move with the Iswinging of the panel so as not to interfere with the panel. An improvement of the linkage mechanism interconnecting the seat members and panel is necessary to 'obtain the coordinated movement yof the structures.

My patented original invention may also be improved to add to it ability to carry heavy load-s whether they be balanced or unbalanced.

A general object of my invention is to provide novel apparatus which will interchangeably form diierent articles `of furniture and which is of simple and inexpensive manufacture and operation.

More specifically, an object of my invention is to provide new and simple apparatus which will interchangeably form different articles of furniture including a chair and a table.

Still more specifically, an object of my invention is to provide novel and improved apparatus which will interchangeably form ydifferent articles of furniture including a .park bench and picnic ytables with benches.

Another `object yof my invention isy to provide a tableback member of an interchangeable article of furniture constructed in one piece.

Still another object -of ymy invention is to provide coordinated movement ofthe table-back member and the seats vof my invention so 'they will not interfere with one another.

AA `further object -of imy 4invention is to reduce the number tot' parts of and simplify the structure of my invention comprising Ian interchangeable article of furniture.

A still 'further object of my improvement on my original invention is to provide a sturdy `and v'durable apparatus which, in lthe form of va table `and benches, will not tip over when 'a Weight is placed on only one bench.

A still further Iobject =of my invention is to provide in the linkage mechanism connecting the seat members and -the table-back member, links for performing the dual purposes of -strutting the sea't and transmitting of shifting 2,757,713 Patented Aug. 7, 1956 ICC movement between the seat members and table-back member.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more' fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the 4same parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 shows a side elevation view of 4my apparatus in the form of a table;

Fig. 2 shows an end elevation view of my apparatus formed as la table;

Fig. 3 shows an end elevation view of my apparatus formed as a chair; and

Fig. 4 shows a cross sectional view taken at 4-4 in Fig. 1.

One embodiment of my invention, as shown in the figures, consists of an apparatus which interchangeably forms different articles of furniture, including a chair with a seat and back rest and a table with benches. More specifically, one embodiment of my invention includes suitable Isupport means 10 consisting of an elongated and rigid tubing formed into an inverted U-shape which extends upwardly from the licor. The end portions 11 of the tubing are turned outwardly and lie substantially horizontally to engage the floor. There are at least two of such support means in Aspaced relation to each other, and are positioned at theA Yends of my apparatus. The lsupport means =on the ends of my apparatus are fixed together by means of a bar 12 which lies horizontally on the floor and interconnects with the support means at its ends.

The embodiment of my invention shown includes a panel member 13 or a table-back member which, in one form of my invention, constitutes a table top. When my invention is formed into an alternate arrangement, the panel 13v constitutes a bac'k rest for a chair. The panel member 13 is formed in one piece. One surface of the panel member 13 is finished in such a manner as to make the panel member usable as a table top, and the other side of the panel vmember 13 may be similarly finished ormay be upholstered for use as a back rest fora chair. A pair of depending rail-s 14 are aixed to the lower side of the panel member 13 at each of its ends as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

A generally L-shaped panel-supporting me-mber 15 is atlixed to each of the rails 14 at its upper end and is pivotally attached to the respective support means 10` at its lower end by means of a pivot pin 16. This pivotal attachment to the support means 10 is positioned on yone side `of the inverted U-shaped member comprising the support means and disposed below the uppermost reaches of the support means. By means `of this pivotal attachment -to the support means, the panel member 13 is supported by the support means 10, and the panel member 13 is swingable about the pivot 16 from a substantially horizontal and table-forming position, as best shown in Fig. 2, to a substantially vertical and back-rest-forming position, as best shown in Fig. 3.

I also provide, in this embodiment of my invention, a pair of similar seat members 17 and 18 which are horizontally mounted in `spaced relation with and on opposite sides of the support means 10. The seat members 17 and 18 may be made `of wood or any other rigid material, and aredisposed above the floor and below the panel member 13 when it is in horizontal position. On either end vof each seat member and depending therebelow is mounted a panel member 19.

A pair of parallel and rigid seat-stabilizing members 20 extend from each of the ends of the seat members to one of the end portions 11 of the respective support means 10. The seat-stabilizing members are pivotally attached at their respective ends tothe channels 19 and the support means end portions 11 and are adapted vto oscillate about these pivotal attachments. The seat members are thereby shiftable toward and away from the support means 10. When the seat members are disposed in spaced relation with the support means as shown in Fig. 2, each of the seat members constitute a bench for the panel member 13 which is in table-forming position. When the seat members are shifted laterally into close mutual association and closely adjacent to the support means 10, they combine to form a single seat for a chair, the back rest of which is the panel member 13 in substantially vertical position.

A leg member 21 is pivotally attached to each of the channels 19 and extends therefrom downwardly and outwardly of the seat member and constitutes an auxiliary seat-supporting member when the seat member is in spaced relationship with the support means. A torsion spring 22 is associated with each of the leg members 21 at its pivotal connection to each of the channels 19, as best shown in Fig. 4, and tends to force the leg member 21 away from the support means 10. A stop member 23 constituting a chain interconnects the leg member 21 and one of the seat-stabilizing members 20. As the spring 22 tends to force the leg member 21 outwardly from the support means 1l) the stop member 23 prevents an excessive outward swinging of the leg member 21 and positions the leg member 21 in seat-supporting position. With a lateral shifting of the seat members toward the support means and into close mutual association, the springs assov ciated with each of the leg members causes the leg members 21 to oscillate about its pivotal connection and to assume a position substantially parallel with t'he seatstabilizing members 20. When the seats are moved together, as shown in Fig. 3, the leg members 21 are conveniently out of the way beneath the seat members.

The embodiment of my invention shown includes a linkage mechanism which interconnects the panel member 13 and the seat members 17 and 18, and extends directly from the panel members 13 to each of the seat members. A vertically shiftable panel-connecting link 24 is pivotally connected at its upper end to the mid-portion of panelsupport member 15. The lower end of link 24 is pivotally connected to a timing link 25, hereinafter described, and to a pair of horizontally extending seat-connecting links 26. Each of the seat-connecting links 26 extend in opposite directions toward different seat members. The timing link 25 is pivotally connected to one side of the support means 10 by means of pivot pin 27. Each of the seat-struttiug links 28 is pivotally connected at one of its ends to the horizontally extending end portions 11 of a respective support means 10; and each of the links 28 is also pivotally connected at a point medially of its length to the seat-connecting links 26. Seat-strutting link 28 is also pivotally connected at a point medially of its length to one end of a corresponding seat-shifting member 29. Each seat-shifting member 29 is pivotally attached at its other end to one of the seat-stabilizing members 20.

As the panel member 13 is shifted from its horizontal position as shown in Fig. 2, toward its vertical position as shown in Fig. 3, the upper end of panel-connecting member 24 is shifted vertically and through an arc about pivot pin 16. The vertical shifting of member 24 causes the timing link 25 to oscillate about its pivot pin 27 in a lateral and generally upward direction. The movement of thc lower end of the panel-connecting member 24 is the same as the end of the timing link 25 connected therewith. The ends of the seat-connecting links 26 connected to the timing link 25 also have a similar oscillatory motion about pin 27, and this motion is transmitted through the seat-connecting links 26 to the seat-strutting links 28 and thence through the seat-shifting member 29 to the seat-stabilizing members 20 and seat members 17 and 18.

Because of the lateral shifting in the arcuate path of the timing link 25, one of the seat-connecting links 26 has a greater rate of lateral motion than does the other of the seat-connecting links 26. This ultimately causes seat member 17 to shift inwardly toward the support means 10 at a faster rate than does the seat member 18, as shown in Fig. 2. The resultant is a varying rate of shifting of the seat members for a constant rate of shifting of the panel member 13, the seat member 17 having a rapid initial shifting followed by a somewhat slower shifting as it approaches the support means 10. The seat member 1S will have a slow rate of shifting as it starts toward the support means 10 and will increase its rate of shifting as it nears the support means 10, there being a constant rate of shifting of panel member 13. This initial rapid rate of shifting of seat member 17 will cause it to be out of the way when the edge of the panel member 13 comes downwardly and crosses the path of motion of the seat member 17. The seat member 17 and the panel member will always be in spaced relation while the same are moving. When the panel 13 has swung into substantially vertical position to form a backrest for the seat members, its lower edge will rest against the seatstabilizing members 20. When the panel is in this position, the seat members will both be on one side of the panel and will be adjacent to it.

As the panel member 13 is swung from a horizontal position to a vertical position, the seat-strutting link 28 which is fulcrumed to the support means 10 at a point 28a will oscillate upwardly to assume an inclined position as shown in Fig. 3. The upper end of the seat-strutting link 28 positively engages one of the seat-stabilizing members 20 as the seats are moved inwardly toward the support means 10 and into close mutual association. The upper end of seat-strutting link 28 is concavely curved so as to provide a maximum area of contact with the seat-stabilizing member 20.

The embodiment of my invention, as shown, includes an arm rest 30 which is aflixed at the upper end of the support means 10. When the panel member 13 is swung to horizontal position, the rails 14 engage the arm rest 30 and are supported thereby.

The panel member in vertical position, as shown in Fig. 3, may also be swung to a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1. When the panel member is swung to the horizontal position, the linkage connecting the panel member to the seat members causes the seat members to shift laterally away from the support means and to form benches for the panel member which is in table-forming position. When the panel member is swung from a vertical position to a horizontal position, the seat member 17 is delayed in its movement until the panel member 13 has swung clear of the path of movement of the seat member 17. This is accomplished by means of the cooperating linkage mechanism which interconnects the panel member and the seat members. When the seat members are shifted away from the support means 10 to form benches for the table, the leg members 21 swing outwardly to assume seat-supporting position and engage the oor or ground.

It will be seen that I have provided a substantial improvement over my original patented invention. I have provided for a simpler and more inexpensive construction by employing a non-sectionalized panel member. Such a panel member is advantageous, not only because of its cheaper construction, but because when it is used for a table it may be cleaned substantially easier than a two-piece top and may be kept clean because it has no crevices or recesses to collect contaminating material.

It should also be noted that I have provided linkage mechanism connecting the panel member and seat members which contain fewer parts than in my original invention. My improved linkage mechanism also provides a movement of the panel member and the seat members so that there will be no interference between them as they move from one position to another. This coordinated movement is necessary in providing a one-piece panel member. The improved linkage mechanism is also cheaper to make bacause it contains fewer parts and also contains many parts which are interchangeable and similar,

which of course cuts down the manufacturing cost substantially.

It will be noted that I have provided in my invention seat-stabilizing members and auxiliary support legs which combine to give the seat members additional support for carrying heavy loads and will also support loads applied to the seat members which are unbalanced. The support legs will prevent tipping of the apparatus when it is formed as a table. The stabilizing members tend to keep the seats in substantially horizontal position in both extremes of their motion and during their motion. The auxiliary supporting legs swing into seat-supporting position simultaneously with the movement of the seats away from the support means to form benches for the panel which is in table-forming position.

It is also apparent that I have provided in my invention parts of the linkage mechanism which perform a dual purpose, that of transmitting movement from the panel member to the seat members, and that of providing struts for the seat members when they are shifted into close mutual association and adjacent to the support means. This combined function of parts of the linkage mechanism further decreases the number of parts necessary to build my apparatus and thereby decreases the cost of manufacture thereof.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, detail, arrangement and proportion of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. In apparatus interchangeably including different articles of furniture, the combination of support means, a pair of spaced seat members shiftably mounted adjacent to said support means for lateral movement inwardly toward and outwardly away from each other, a panel member swingably supported on said support means for oscillation from a substantially horizontal and tableforming position toward one of said `seat members and into a substantially vertical position, and camming linkage mechanism connecting said panel member with said seat members and being supported by and fulcrumed on said support means, said linkage mechanism camming to produce a non-uniform and accelerated rate of lateral movement of said seat members into non-interfering relation with said panel member as the same is swung at a uniform rate.

2. In apparatus for interchangeably including a chair and a table with benches, the combination of support means, a pair of spaced seat members shiftably mounted adjacent said support means for lateral movement inwardly toward and outwardly away from each other, a panel member swingably supported on said support means for oscillation from a substantially horizontal table-forming position toward one of said seat members and into a substantially vertical position, linkage mechanism connecting said seat members with `said panel member, and a timing link fulcrumed on said support means and having an outer end portion swingably secured to said linkage mechanism for guiding the same, the outer end portion of said timing link shifting asymmetrically relative to said spaced seat members and producing through said linkage mechanism a rapid initial rate of inward lateral shifting of said seat member toward which said panel member shifts when the same swings to a vertical position to thereby preclude interference of said panel member with said last mentioned seat member.

3. In apparatus interchangeably including a chair and table with benches, the combination of support means, a pair of spaced seat members shiftably mounted adjacent to said support means for lateral movement inwardly toward and outwardly away from each other, a panel member swingably supported by said support means for oscillation from a substantially horizontal and tableforming position to a substantially vertical position, and fulcrumed linkage mechanism carried by said supporting means and connected between said seat members and said panel member Ito produce inward shifting of said seat members into close mutual association when said panel is swung into vertical position, and said linkage mechanism including seat-strutting links being shiftable with said linkage mechanism into seat-supporting relation when said seats are shifted inwardly into close mutual association.

4. The structure recited in claim 3 and said seatstrutting links being fulcrumed on said support means and being shiftable with said linkage mechanism into inclined seat-supporting relation when said seat members are shifted into close mutual association.

5. In apparatus interchangeably including a chair and a table with benches, the combination of support means, a pair of shiftable seat members being spaced apart and adjacent to said support means, at least a pair of rigid and parallel seat stabilizing members pivotally connected to each of said seat members and to said support means for mounting and maintaining said scat member in substantially horizontal position, and said seat stabilizing members being disposed in spaced relation relative to each other in the direction of shifting of said seat members, a seat-positioning table-back member swingably supported by said support means for oscillation from a substantially horizontal and table-forming position to a substantially vertical position, and fulcrumed linkage mechanism carried by said support means and connected between said seat members and said table-back member and producing an inward shifting of said seat members into close mutual association when said panel member is swung into vertical position, and said linkage mechanism including seat-strutting links fulcrumed on said support means and being shiftable with said linkage mechanism into engagement with said seat-stabilizing members for supporting said seat members when the same are shifted inwardly into close mutual association.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 115,839 French .Tune 13, 1871 300,617 MacKaye .Tune 17, 1884 527,108 Cooper Oct. 9, 1894 1,405,362 Etten Jan. 31, 1922 1,503,689 Kroschel Aug. 5, 1924 1,716,327 Sevier June 4, 1929 2,618,314 Jerdee Nov. 18, 1952 2,670,029 Rossi Feb. 23, 1954 2,690,942 Marcus Oct. 5, 1954 

